Maxine Kumin Obituary

WARNER, N.H. (AP) - Maxine Kumin, a prolific New England poet and U.S. poet laureate who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for her work "Up Country," has died. She was 88.

Kumin, who wrote more than three dozen books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction and children's literature, died Thursday at her home in Warner after a year of failing health, said the Bennett Funeral Home in Concord.

Kumin was an advocate for women writers, social justice and animal rights. Her final work, "And Short the Season," is scheduled to be released later this year.

Born in Philadelphia, she graduated from Radcliffe College and lived for a while in Newton, Mass.

Kumin's family said her work was marked by a love and deep observation of nature and an unwavering commitment to the craft of writing. They said a celebration of her life and work will be held in the spring.

Kumin's work has been recognized with numerous other awards, including the Ruth Lilly Prize, the Harvard Medal, the Levinson Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Poetry Award.

Kumin also was a prominent teacher of writing, occupying graduate or undergraduate visiting chairs or fellowships at Boston University, Brandeis, Columbia, MIT, Princeton and other institutions. At New England College in Henniker, N.H., she helped establish a new poetry master of fine arts program.

Kumin's work and life were linked to those of poet Anne Sexton, a close friend and collaborator who committed suicide in 1974.

In a 2010 interview with the Greater Brockton (Mass.) Library Poetry Series, Kumin said one of her early motivations to become a poet was reading "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson. She said many of those poems, which were read to her, were locked in her brain because of their melody. She said her life raising horses also motivated her work..

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Maxine Kumin (Associated Press Photo/Concord Monitor, Ken Williams)

WARNER, N.H. (AP) - Maxine Kumin, a prolific New England poet and U.S. poet laureate who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for her work "Up Country," has died. She was 88.

Kumin, who wrote more than three dozen books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction and children's literature, died Thursday at her home in Warner after a year of failing health, said the Bennett Funeral Home in Concord.

Kumin was an advocate for women writers, social justice and animal rights. Her final work, "And Short the Season," is scheduled to be released later this year.

Born in Philadelphia, she graduated from Radcliffe College and lived for a while in Newton, Mass.

Kumin's family said her work was marked by a love and deep observation of nature and an unwavering commitment to the craft of writing. They said a celebration of her life and work will be held in the spring.

Kumin's work has been recognized with numerous other awards, including the Ruth Lilly Prize, the Harvard Medal, the Levinson Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Poetry Award.

Kumin also was a prominent teacher of writing, occupying graduate or undergraduate visiting chairs or fellowships at Boston University, Brandeis, Columbia, MIT, Princeton and other institutions. At New England College in Henniker, N.H., she helped establish a new poetry master of fine arts program.

Kumin's work and life were linked to those of poet Anne Sexton, a close friend and collaborator who committed suicide in 1974.

In a 2010 interview with the Greater Brockton (Mass.) Library Poetry Series, Kumin said one of her early motivations to become a poet was reading "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson. She said many of those poems, which were read to her, were locked in her brain because of their melody. She said her life raising horses also motivated her work..

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Guest Book Highlights

"Dear Kumin Family, Apologies for the late note...I have just finished reading "Inside The Halo And Beyond"--a book I have read many times, along with her other works...I cannot add new adjectives to ease this loss, only that Ms. Kumin is much missed..."

"May God give you all peace and comfort. He knows your pain and will soon put an end to sickness and death." (IL)

"So sorry for the loss of such a talented woman. may your loving memories always remain." (MN)

"Is it our work or the connections with the people in our lives which shine the brightest? It seems to me Ms. Kumin achieved both and gave much more to so many others seen and unknown. By sincerest condolences."- Nina Mattei (Dunnellon, FL)

"The world is more beautiful because of her being in it; buoyed by her beautiful verse. Rest in peace."- george fleck (philadelphia, PA)

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KUMIN, Maxine W. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, novelist, essayist, and tireless advocate for literature, and for many another writer, particularly women, as well as for animal rights and human and...
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Published in The Concord Monitor on February 8, 2014

WARNER – Maxine W. Kumin, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, novelist, essayist, and tireless advocate for literature, and for many another writer, particularly women, as well as for animal rights and...
Read Obituary